Redskins QB Kirk Cousins details why he'll 'always be' a work in progress
After signing the franchise tag in the offseason, Kirk Cousins is making just over $19.9 million in 2016. It’s not the long-term deal he probably wanted, but he’s not in a bad situation contractually.
His future with the Redskins hinges on his play this season as he’ll be a free agent next offseason. If Cousins wants an extension in Washington, he’ll need to put up numbers similar to those he produced in 2015.
After one week, he’s already off to a rough start. Cousins threw for 329 yards against the Steelers, but he also threw two interceptions and didn’t have a single touchdown pass. He is still young and developing, yet he doesn’t think he’ll ever stop being a work in progress.
His head coach Jay Gruden called him exactly that – a work in progress – and Cousins agrees wholeheartedly.
Cousins said he discussed the idea of never being completely developed with Tom Brady, who shared the same sentiment. Even when he’s playing at the highest level, Brady doesn’t feel like he’s completely clicking on all cylinders.
Cousins looked great last season, throwing 29 touchdown passes with just 11 interceptions, posting a passer rating of 101.6 in his first season as a starter. Those numbers will be tough to replicate, but if he wants to be paid like a top quarterback, he’ll need to.
Cousins will get a chance to rebound after a poor start against the Cowboys this week. Their secondary is by no means outstanding, but their corners are arguably better than Pittsburgh’s.
